Illuminated toy figure



JIY 2.9, 1952 B. L. I EvlNsoN 2,605,385

ILLUMINATED Toy FIGURE Filed April l0, 1948 Patented July 29, 1952 ILLUMINATED TOY FGURE -v e Benjamin L. Levinson, New York, N. Y., assignor,

-by mesne assignmen ts, to Levinson Manufacturing Company, Inc., Pawcatuck, Conn., a cor. poration of Connecticut Application'April Y10, 1948, Serial N0. 20,309

e 1 TheV present invention 'relates to; an illuminated object and' more particularlyI to one Iin Whichfthe socketifor receivingthe-light bulb is formed integrallyjwith the connections between said socket and the battery which furnishes the electrical energy.

Illuminated objects assume an infinite number of forms and the present invention is here illustrated in the form of a toy dog, but it will be understood that this is by Way of. exempliilcation only.

Assembly of such objects is anv exceedingly important elementin the manufacture thereof, particularly because of the relative difficulty involved in securing the electrical connections between'the battery and the light bulb socket in proper and fixed position therein. This diiiiculty is reflected in increased time consumed in assembly and in the employment of a relatively large number of separate 'electrical units such as switches, contacts, wires and sockets. The use of these additional elements adds to the cost of the completed article and, which is perhaps more important, the increase in time of assembly materially reduces the productivity of a Workman and consequently materially increases the cost of production of the object. The significance of this latter factor will be appreciated 4from a realization of the fact that labor costs are one of the prime cost elements inthe manufacture of objects of this nature. l

It is the prime object of the present invention to devise a construction which avoids the above disadvantagesby. utilizing a minimum number of parts so related to the remainder of the structure that they may be assembled in an exceedingly rapid manner. v It is another object of the present invention to employ connectors between the battery and the light bulb which have socket parts integrally formed therewith, so that the employment of separate sockets is rendered unnecessary and so that the time consumed in the step ofsoldering or otherwise securing the connectors to the sockets is eliminated. Yet another object of the present invention is to devise aconstruction in which the light bulbs are conveniently placeable in and removable from the apparatus from the exterior thereof.

Another aim of the present invention is to devise a construction inr which the'connectors are formed lof resilient metal strips which n ot only function as electrical connectors but are also active upon the battery to retain it in its proper position in the object.l v

s Claim. (c1. 24o-1o)V los - Yet another aimof the presentinvlentioneis to devise a novel :structural arrangement;- for retaining a battery in `theobject in xed-f-posijtion; the battery Vbeing l'easilyl removable from the object for replacementpurposes.v ,j Amore specic :aimof the present invention is to devise such an objectwhich, in its normal condition, does not flight' up but which, through manipulation. from the'exterior of the object. can be made to light upat wilL: s A v f 'To the accomplishment vof the foregoing 9b jects and` such other objects as may hereinafter appear, Vthe present invention relates to the; con structional details 4'of an' illuminated 1 objectwas defined inthe appended claims and asset forth in this specification, takentogethe'r with-theat-` companying drawings, in which:` f Fig. 1 is a side view of one of the halves'of-the toy showing the battery and the conductive strips imposition; i i

Fig. 2 is 'a'rear 'view ofthe.v toy in assembled condition; u 1 j- Fig.'3 is a View taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with thetoyin assembled condition;

Fig.r4 is-'a view taken alon'g`the line 4-4' of Fig. 1 with the 'toy in assembled condition;

Fig. 5 isa View 'taken along the line 5-'5 of Fig. 1 with the toy in assembled condition; and Fig.A 6 is a view taken along the'line 6'.6of Fig-1 showing the toy in assembled condition lbut with the battery omitted'therefrom. 4 The body of the vtoyis hereshown as composed of two mating halves 2 and l'adap'ted to' meet'fon the line 5,? the two halves b'ein'gf providedwith shoulders 8 to ensufre accurateinterttingn-The halves'may be formed of any suitable material, preferably a molded plastic', andfmaybe' secured together in any convenient mann'rsuch as by the use ofadhesive. The body is vprovided with 'one or more apertures l0, hereshow'nas t'wo in'v number, each positioned to correspond tothe,` eyesof the dog defined bythe body parts-Zand 4,"the ape'rtures l0 being of a size suiiicient to permit entry therethrough of atleast a portion of light bulbs IZ.- Conductive" strips l4"`a`nd`l6` are approprii ately secured inside the body, said stripsfMj4 and l5 Ybeing preferably v,forme'dof resilient metal which may b'stamped integrally vfrolnsheet stock andV bent 7 to appropriate shape. `One 4of the body halves, here shown as the body half 2,' is provided with guides vin the-form of projection pairs l 8 extending inwardly'from a portion of the body'2, each of the pairs defining bletweenfthem a slot 20v/within which thestripfl'dfor `ll'is receive able'and the opposed body half `4 is provided-with V28 and that each pair ling such that a cooperating guide in the form of a shoulder 22 which, when the body halves are placed in assembled condition, bears against an edge of the strips I4 or I6 so as to retain them in position in the slots (see Fig. 4). The upper ends'of the strips I4 and I8 are secured within slots 24 formed in the upper portion of yeach of the body halves l2 and 4 (see Figs. `l and 3). If desired, for purposes of economy, the slots 24 may be provided in only one of the body halves 2 and 4, and the other body half may have a shoulder engageable with the edge of the strip to retain it within the slot 24.

Those portions of the strips I4 and t6 which extend into the upper part of the toy, in which the apertures Ill are located, pass between the apertures I0, and each of the strips is provided with a pair of lateral extensions on strip I4 being designated by the numerals 26 andthe extensions on the strip I6 being designated by the numerals' 28. AIt Lwill benoted iromJFig-s. l and 3 thateach extension .26 is .opposed Ato an .extension of .extensions -26, 28 is posi.- tioned opposite an .aperture 4Ill and vis appropriately bent so as to be substantially .parallel to one another. Each of the extensions 2.6, these being the extensions closest to the apertures I 0.is itself provided with an aperture 3D :of .such -asiz'e as to threadedly receive the 'base 32 of the light bulb i 2, the spacing between the extensions 21B and 2 8 bewhen the bulb :base 3:2 is received 'in the .aperture 30 of the extensions 2li vso .as toebe supported by said :extension it, the tip 34. rof said base 32 will engage the extension-28. lhisispreff erably accomplished while the bulb :portionsf of the bulbs I2 still partially project outlet-imesh the apertures I 0' so. .that the bulbs I2 are. rendered capable of. replacement from .the .exterior of' the toy".

Inward projections 36 from o "alle body halves 2 and .4 may be provided between Whiohthe extensions 26 are receivable, the projections 35 serving to locate said extensionsjzt .with respect to the apertures I0. and to prevent displacement thereof in ai vertical direction as viewed in Fig. 1. The extensions'Za are ,located in a yvertical plane by virtue of' the projection pair la located directly therebelow, the slot in said projection pair being substantially horizontal so as to impart the desiredverticalsupnort to the .extensions l28. From the above deseriptiorlsift will'be apparent that .each pair ci' extensions ze, bulbsocket iormed integrally with the conductive strips mand: I- and adapted to make electrical eonneetionwith the terminals .of the bulb I2, the threaded side of the base 32 .of the `light bulb I2 defrningene terminal'in said bulb, and the tip 34jdeiining the other terminal thereof.

'E Ehus, the extensions 2-8 and 28 not only serve to support and locate the bulb I2 in the toy but 4also serveto complete electrical connection between thbulband the conductive strips I4 and I6,the strip I4 beingelectrically connected to the side terminal A32 ofthe bulb I2 and the strip'l beingl .electrically connected to the tip terminal 34 thereof. f f "Ihe base ofthe toyI is provided with an aperture 38 ofv a size such that the battery 4!! may pass therethrough, the sides of the `aperture 38 being bevelled as at 4.I and a slidable closure plate 42 being receivable therein. Positioned .above the aperture 38 is a spring strip 44 Vone end of which is secured inside a groove- 46 formed in an inward projection 48 fromone of the body'halves, here shown as the -body half 2, and the other end of 28 denes a light.

Y extension 28, thestrip which is limited in its upward movement by engagement with a ledge Ell projecting inwardly from the other body half 4 (see Fig. 5). The spacing of the spring strip 44 from the bottom of the toy is so related to the size of the battery 4o that the spring 44 will be active to ejectthe battery 40'through the aperture 38, the slidable closure plate 42 positively .preventing such ejection when it is in its closed position. rI'he spring 44 and the closure plate 42 therefore position the battery 45 in the vertical direction of Fig. 1. In addition, the downward pressure of the spring 44 forces the closure plate 42 into relatively tight /frictional engagement with the bevelled sides 4I of the ,aperture 38, thus preventing accidental dislodgment of the closure plate 42.

Stops: .52 projecting inwardly from each of the body halves 2 and 4 will limit the motion of the battery 4D to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 or into the plane of the'paper -as viewed in Fig. 5. The end -54 of the resilient conductive strip ist is active on the battery 40 to movie itv into engagement with the stops 52, the end 54.tendingfto.assume its normal position indicated by -the broken `line 54. Hence, cooperation between end 54 and the stop 52 will prevent undesired motion of the battery 4i) in .a direction to the right or left as viewed in Fig. l or into or .out of the plane of the paper as viewed in Fig. 5. At the same time, the resilient end 54 .of the .conductive strip I4 will preferably makze contact with a terminal 5.5 of the battery 40, thus :oompleting a circuit from the terminal 5t to the side terminal32 ofthe light bulb l2. i

Additional stops 58 project inwardly from the two body halves .2 yand 4 lso .as to snugly receive the battery .4B therebetween .(see Fig. 5) tand thus prevent motion of ythe battery in a direction to the right or left as viewed in 5.

The location of the battery .dill is thus 'fixed in all directions so thatv it. will remain properly located in the toy no matter in whatpcsition the toy is held or to what `vibratory infiuence'sitis subjected. As soon, however, as the closure plate 42 is removed, the spring 44 will eject the 'batn tery 49 from the toy so that replacement oi the battery is renderedexceedingly convenient. i

The end 6B of strip I6 normally assumes the position illustrated in Fig. l in which it is spaced from, and therefore does notmake electrical oontact with, the battery 4B. An actuator E2 projects out'through v an aperture 64 in the body so as to be manipulatable Afrom the exterior thereof, the actuator 62, when manipulated, beingactive upon the strip end 6'6 via the lever arm 55 so as to cause it to assume the position illustrated in the broken line 60 in which the endl is brought into engagement with and consequently makes electrical connection with the secondterminar ts of the battery to. when. this` @Gourette electricalv circuit from the battery .4o through the light bulbs I2 is. closed, the circuit being defined by the :battery 4Q., the contact 5t, the end v.5.4 of strip I4, the strip i4 itself, the-.extension 246, the side terminal 32 of the bulb t2, the `filament in the bulb, the tipV terminal 3,4. of the bulb-,the I5, the strip endl 54, and the other terminal 68 of the battery 4D, thus causing the bulbs i2.- to lightup'.

As here illustrated,-the actuator B2 is inthe form of a dogl tail provided, on a portion thereof adapted to be receivedinside the toybody, with an aperture lll and a collar 12, `iboth adaptedfto iit over a post 'I4 projecting inwardly ironrthe the" resilient I securing the strips I4 and v body half 4. jThe body half'2 is providediwith a stopl adapted, .whenthetwo body halves `2 andVA 4.are assembled together', to preventZ the actuator G2 from becoming disengaged'from the post '(see Fig. 6). The resilient strip end 60 is active upon the lever arm 65 so asto rotate the i actuator 62 Yin a counter-cloclnivise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, and when it is desired that the light bulbs I2 light up, the actuator 62 is moved upwardly so'as to pivot in a clockwise direction about Ythe post '14, thus positively' moving 'the resilient strip end 60 into engagement Yand electrical connection with the terminal 68 of the battery 40.

' Thev advantages, both from a constructional ncl assembly .point of View, of the abovepconstruction will in lthe mainioe 'apparent.' The strips I4 and I6 together with their extensions 2,6 and 28 respectively may be integrally formed in a single stamping operation, the apertures 3U in the'extensions 26 being simultaneously formed,

and for'ass'embly all that is necessary isto insert I6 into the appropriate theprebent strips yI4 and 'siotsf'Zllv and 24' formed in the body 'half`2, the body half 2 itself having been formed in one piece in a simple' molding operation. By the simple insertion of the strips i4 and I6 in the slots 20 and 24, not only is the light bulb socket Ydeiined and located, and not only is the purchase and installation of individual sockets eliminated, but the sockets are already electrically connected to the conductive strips so that no soldering or any other connective operations are necessary.

The next step in assembly is the placing of the actuator 62 over theV post two body halves 2 and y4 need merely be placed into mutual engagement and secured by adhesive or the like, the shoulders 22 on the body half 4 I5 inside the slots A2l) and the stop 'I8 on the body half 2 securing the actuator S2 on the post 14. Once this has been donej'tli'e toy is completely assembled and. the parts thereof are positivelymain-tained in proper position.' f 'f It will therefore be clear described above results in an object which is not only formedofv a minimum number of parts, thus reducing expense, but which als-o may be assembled by completely unskilled help in a minimum amount of time. v jv, By virtue of the arrangement and location o1 the extensions 2t and 28, particularly with respect to the apertures I5),l light bulb sockets of exceedingly simple construction are defined into which light 'bulbs I2 may be screwed or removed Without having to open up the toy, the bulbs I'2 being at all times accessible from the exterior of the toy. By virtue of the arrangement for receiving and securing the battery 44l), replacement of the battery is facilitated While, once the battery has been inserted, it is fixed in position. By utilizing one of the resilient conductive strips, specifically the end 54 of the strip I4, to assist in maintaining the battery 4c in its proper position by urging the battery against the stops 52, While at the same time making electrical connection With the terminal 56 of the battery the employment of a separate 'battery locating member is avoided.

Only one embodiment of the construction is herein illustrated, that embodiment being in the form of a toy dog, but it Will be apparent that objects of any desired shape or size could embo-dy my invention. Therefore, a great many variations may be made in the details thereof Without that the construction 14. Thereafter, the .A

departing from-the'spirit vof the inventionfas `de-f, iinedinthefollovoring claims.v Iclaim: y f' 1. Anilluminated figure' comprising a two-piece hollow rigid vseelf-supporting housing-defining a body portion anda head portion having an aper-l ture therethrough simulating the eye of said figure and through which a light bulb vhaving a base with two terminals may be inserted, said houslrlsr parting along a central line, said head aperture being to one side of said line, a battery having `tvvo terminals secured Within saidbody portion, strip guidesin the form of projections and recesses integral with said housing pieces and on the interior thereof, at least some of said strip guides being arranged'in opposite pairs, one on each piece of said housin-g, and va pair of conductive strips in saidV housing engaging said guides ,and being supported therebyalong said parting line from saidy batterytovvard saidhead .aperture'fso that portions of said strips make electrical connection respectively with the terminalsof said battery, each of said strips having a lateral extension maintained opposite said head Iaperture inside said housing and spaced from one yanothersubstantially axially with respect to sai-d head aperture, the strip portion closer to said head 'aperture itself being apertured so as t0 receive the base of said light bulb therethrough and make electrical connection with one terminal thereof, the other of said strip portions being adapted to makeelectrical connection with the other terminal of said bulb.'

2. The illuminated ligure of claim 1,. in Which the one of said housing pieces which includes said head aperture is provided With an integral strip guide on the vother side of saidjhead aperture from said parting line, said guide engaging the strip extension closer tov said head aperture and positively holdinglit in position. f

3. An illuminated gure comprising a two-piece hollow rigid self-supporting housing dening a body portion and a headl portion having an aperture therethrough simulating the eye of said gure and through which a light bulbhaving a base with two terminals may be inserted, said housing parting along a central line, said head aperture being to one side of said line, a battery having two terminals secured Within'said body portion, strip guides inthe form of projections and recesses integral with said housing pieces and on the interior thereof, at least some of said strip guides being arranged in opposite pairs, one on each piece of said housing, and including a pair of opposed guides on the opposite side of said head aperture from said battery, and a pair of conductive strips in said housing engaging said guides and being supported thereby along said parting line from said battery to a point on the other side of said head aperture from said battery so that portions of said strips make electrical connection respectively with the terminals of said battery, each ofvsaid strips having a lateral extension maintained opposite said head aperture inside said housing and spaced from one another substantially axially with respect to said head aperture, the strip portion closer to said head aperture itself being apertured so as to receive the base of said light bulb therethrough and make electrical connection with one terminal thereof, the other other termin-al of said bulb.

4. The illuminated ligure of claim 3, in which the one of said housing pieces which includes said headv aperture -is provided with an integral strip guide on the other sideof said head aperture from said parting line, said guideY engaging the strip extension closer. to said head apertureand positively holding it in position.

, 5.*An illuminated, iigure comprising a twopiece hollow rigid self-supporting housing de- `iining a body portion and a head portion, said housing parting along a ,central line, each of said housing pieces having an aperture therethrough simulating an eyeoi said gure and through ywhich a light bulb having a base with two terminals may be inserted, a battery having two terminals secured Within said body portion, strip guides in the form of projections and recesses integral with said hollow housing and on the interior thereof, at least some of said strip guides being arranged in opposed pairs, one on each piece oi said housing, and a pair of. conductive strips in said housing, said strips engaging said guides and being supported thereby along said parting from said battery toward said head aperture so that portions of said strips make electrical connection respectively with the terminals of said battery, having oppositely directed lateral extensions maintained opposite said head apertures inside said housing, each pair of lateral extensions being spaced from one anotherA substantially axiallywith respect to said head apertures, the extensions oi each of said pairs closer to said head apertures themselves being apertured so as to receive the base of said light bulb therethrough and make electrical. connection with one terminal thereof, the others of said extensions being adapted to make electrical connection with the other terminal of said bulb.

6. The illuminated iigure of claim in which each of said housing pieces is provided with an integral Ystrip guide on the other side of said head aperture from said parting line, said guides engaging the strip extensions closer to said head aperture and positively holding them in position.

7. An illuminated figure comprising a twopiece hollow rigid self-supporting housing delining a Vbody portion and a head portion, said. housingvv parting along a central line, each of said housing pieces having an aperture therethrough simulating an eye of saidk figure and through which a light bulb having a base with two terminals may be inserted, a battery having each of said strips two vterminals securedwithin said body portion, strip guides in the form of projections and recesses integral. with said hollow housing and on the interior thereof, at least some of said strip guides being arranged in opposed pairs, one on each piece of said housing, and including a pair of guides onthe opposite side of said head aperture from said battery, and a pair of conductive strips in said housing, said strips engaging said guides and being supported thereby along said parting line from said battery to a point on the other lside of said head aperture from said battery, so that portions of said strips make electrical connection respectively with the terminals of said battery, each of said strips having oppositely directed lateral extensions maintained opposite said head apertures inside said housing, each pair of lateral extensions being spaced from one another substantially axially with respectto said head apertures, the extensions of eaehof said pairs closer to said head apertures` v themselves being apertured so as to receive the base Yof said Ylight bulb therethroughY and make electrical connection with one terminal thereof,

the others of said` extensions vbeing adapted to make Yelectrical `connection with the other terminal of said bulb. y x

8. rThe illunfiinated iigure of claim 7 in which each of said housing pieces is provided with an integral strip guide on the other side of said head aperture from said partingline, said guides engaging the strip extensions closer tosaid head aperture vand positively holding them in position.

Y:samiii/ini L. Levinson.

REFERENCES CYTED rEhe following references are of record in the file of this patent: l

'UNITED STATES PATENTS 

